Dhaula Kuan gangrape: Court reserves order on sentence against 5 held guilty on Oct 20

New Delhi: A court here on Friday reserved for October 20 its order on quantum of sentence against five men, convicted in the sensational 2010 Dhaula Kuan abduction and gangrape case, with Delhi Police seeking life term for them saying they "left a scar" on the 30-year-old victim.During the arguments on quantum of sentence, police told the court that the convicts have no respect for the "law of land" and the entire incident has "degraded and humiliated" the dignity of the victim, hailing from northeast, in the society.[caption id="attachment_1761723" align="alignleft" width="380"] AFP image.[/caption]"The incident of abduction and gangrape has left a scar on the victim's mentality and it also degraded and humiliated the very dignity of the victim in the society," public prosecutorSatvinder Kaur told Additional Sessions Judge Virender Bhat. The court, after hearing the submissions of police and the counsel appearing for the five convicts, reserved the order saying, "Heard the arguments. Order reserved for quantum of sentence for October 20."On October 14, Usman alias Kale, Shamshad alias Khutkan, Shahid alias Chhota Billi, Iqbal alias Bada Billi and Kamruddin alias Mobile, all residents of Mewat region in Haryana, were convicted for the offences under sections 365 (abduction), 34 (common intention), 376(2)(g) (gangrape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) with 34 of the IPC.During the hearing, the lawyers appearing for convicts, pleaded for leniency citing their poor financial background and other responsibilities of their respective families.At the outset, the court asked the defence lawyers, "You are asking for a lenient view. Can there be a lesser sentence less than 10 years, which is the minimum punishment for the offence?"For the offence of gangrape, the maximum sentence prescribed under the law is life term while the minimum is 10 years rigorous imprisonment.After the order was reserved, family members of the five convicts pushed through the security personnel standing at the courtroom's gate and came near the judge's dais demanding that their pleas should be heard."We want the court to pardon our children. They have very small children and no earning members. Our families will be ruined," Shakina Begum, a relative of Kamruddin, told the judge.To this, the judge said, "Your pleas have been heard. I will look into it."PTI